Video-game expo unveils bumper crop of fall titles

Updated 7:11 pm, Monday, September 3, 2012

A recent GameStop Expo at the Convention Center introduced gamers to upcoming titles such as "Assassin's Creed III."

A recent GameStop Expo at the Convention Center introduced gamers to upcoming titles such as "Assassin's Creed III."

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" is among games to be released before Christmas.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" is among games to be released before Christmas.

Photo: Activision

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Expo attendees take to the stage of the "Just Dance 4" display. The new game adds a two-player Battle Mode.

Expo attendees take to the stage of the "Just Dance 4" display. The new game adds a two-player Battle Mode.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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People try their hand at "Halo 4" on the XBox 360 during the GameStop Expo at the Convention Center. The game is among those expected to sell well.

People try their hand at "Halo 4" on the XBox 360 during the GameStop Expo at the Convention Center. The game is among those expected to sell well.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Nintendo's Wii U console features the new GamePad controller, which sports a 6.2-inch touch screen.

Nintendo's Wii U console features the new GamePad controller, which sports a 6.2-inch touch screen.

Photo: Patrick Fallon, Bloomberg

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Box art for "Borderlands 2."

Box art for "Borderlands 2."

Photo: Handout

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Master Chief from the "Halo" video game franchise. The character returns this fall in "Halo 4." Picture taken at the GameStop Expo at the Convention Center.

Master Chief from the "Halo" video game franchise. The character returns this fall in "Halo 4." Picture taken at the GameStop Expo at the Convention Center.

Photo: Rene A. Guzman

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Video-game expo unveils bumper crop of fall titles

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And you thought over-the-top sequels only came out of Hollywood. This fall's hot new video games promise all sorts of familiar pixilated faces, with eagerly awaited follow-ups to numerous hit properties.

The recent GameStop Expo at the Convention Center gave gamers a hands-on-the-controller look at these and other upcoming titles, with flat screens blazing synapses-firing demos of the most anticipated first-person shooters, fantasy role-playing games and more adventures.

As for why so many are sequels, Game Informer editor in chief Andy McNamara says it's all, well, part of the game.

We're near the end of this current generation of game consoles, he says, so game publishers have had a good five or six years with a title to crank out an even more advanced, innovative version. The results, McNamara says, should be "some amazing games."

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If the long line that snaked around the "Black Ops 2" expo booth is any indication, the "Call of Duty" shooter should mow down the competition.

"It's not just part of video-game culture," McNamara says. "It's part of the culture."

McNamara, who was at the expo, expects "Black Ops 2" to be the top- selling game of the year, with "Assassin's Creed III," "Halo 4" and "Borderlands 2" also scoring plenty of points for retailers.

The industry would welcome the level-up. According to the market-research firm The NPD Group, year-to-date U.S. retail sales of video games through the end of July were $5.4 billion - a 25 percent decline over the $7.2 billion generated during the same period in 2011.

Bob Puzon, GameStop vice president of merchandising, says the chain is very bullish on the third and fourth quarters of the year, no doubt thanks to the bumper crop of fall games.

"It's a snowball that starts for us," he says.

Puzon also expects "Black Ops 2" to be a big seller, along with "Assassin's Creed III."

And fall isn't just for software.

Sometime later this year, Nintendo will deliver its Wii U, a sleek game console featuring the new GamePad controller. In addition to standard buttons and analog controls for game play, the GamePad sports a 6.2-inch touch screen that lets players access a game's maps and menus. Expect a fair amount of Wii U games at launch, most notably "New Super Mario Bros. U" and "ZombiU."

Another hot ticket item: "Skylanders," Activision's collectible line of toy monsters that double as video games.

The Pokémon-ish/video-game mashup couldn't be more brilliant in its simplicity. Just perch one of the colorful "Skylanders" figures on a special Portal of Power that's plugged into your game console or computer. Up it pops onscreen to romp and stomp.

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Gamers' wish list

The hottest upcoming sequels...

"Borderlands 2" (Sept. 18):The role-playing shooter ratchets up the violence in this return to the sci-fi western franchise.

"Assassin's Creed III" (Oct. 30): The historical fiction game cuts a swath through the American Revolution with Connor, a hooded assassin who fights for liberty with tomahawks and other weapons.

"Halo 4" (Nov. 6): Master Chief returns for duty in this first installment of the Reclaimer Trilogy.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" (Nov. 13): The best-selling franchise launches modern warfare into the near future with a 2025 setting for its "Black Ops" sequel.

... and some new properties, too.

"Dishonored" (Oct. 9): Framed for the murder of the Empress, you go from once-trusted bodyguard to assassin in this stealthy tale of revenge.

"Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!" (Nov. 13): Available for Nintendo DS and 3DS, "Hey Ice King!" is based on the hit Cartoon Network series created by San Antonio's own Pendleton Ward.

"ZombiU" (Holiday 2012): In this Wii U exclusive, when your character dies you re-spawn as a new character and have to kill your now zombie-fied former self.

"Injustice: Gods Among Us" (2013): The creators of "Mortal Kombat" take the fight to the DC Universe with Superman, Batman and other heroes trading blows with enemies and each other.

The franchise takes its next leap forward with "Skylanders Giants," available Oct. 21.

"We think that will be a wonderful release," Puzon says.

He also expects "Just Dance 4" to make strides. Besides more than 40 tracks, the new dancing game in the series adds a two-player Battle Mode so players can strut their respective stuff with alternate moves.

Consider it another sequel to make sweet music for buyers and sellers alike.